Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital and the largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and also the capital of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity, as well as the center of the Sarajevo Canton. Sarajevo region has long been the cultural and political capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a region that offers it all, from the excitement of the oriental capital city Sarajevo to one of the last primeval forests in Europe found in Sutjeska National Park to the east. The cultural, natural, and historical heritage of Sarajevo is certainly amongst the most fascinating in all of the Balkans - for it is here that the great eastern and western powers met and left their influences in this largely unknown corner of the world. Primary it was a tiny village square named Tornik, later Trgovište, Staro Trgovište, to be finnaly known as the Vrhbosna, the old estate of the Pavlovic family, mentioned in 1244. Turks definitely conquered Vrhbosna sometime before 1450, when the settlement was named into Sarajevo. After the invasion, Turks have been established a town and the large saraj /court/ beneath the settlement, after which /saraj/ Sarajevo got its name. Miljacka River, which originates from several springs in the foot of Romanija and Jahorina Mountains, flows from the east towards the west through Sarajevo. The city of Sarajevo, which lies at the altitude of 511 meters is surrounded with the Olympic mountains that reach 2000 meters : Bjelašnica, Jahorina, Igman, Treskavica and Trebević Mountains. Jahorina Mountain stretches through the corridor and Gorazde canton, directly to the southeast of Sarajevo, bordering Bjelašnica Mountain. Jahorina Mounain is 1913 meters high, located in the middle of the Sarajevo mountains. Like the other Sarajevo mountains, Jahorina is a popular ski destination for a variety of winter sports and activities. During the 1984 Winter Olympics, Jahorina Mountain was the site of the women's alpine skiing events while the men's alpine events were held on Bjelašnica Mountain. Today, Jahorina Mountain is a very popular destination for skiing, hiking, and sledging. Jahorina Mountain features over 40 km of ski tracks, along with modern facilities. This region is tucked into one of the most mountainous regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, lending to its isolation yet creating a warm, welcoming feeling in the small communities in and around the capital Sarajevo. Sarajevo epitomizes a partial centuries-old struggle against outside influences combined with the absorption of these influences into one of the most diverse cultures in Europe. Indeed, few places on earth feature an Orthodox and a Catholic church, a mosque and a synagogue within easy walking distance of each other. If there were any city in Europe that effortlessly straddles east and west, it is Sarajevo. In Sarajevo the Byzantine and Ottoman empires of the east and the Roman, Venetian and Austria-Hungarian empires of the west left an indelible mark through culture, traditions and religions that make the city an elegant and cosmopolitan city. Yet, a walk through the old part of Sarajevo is a walk through its past. From the oriental bustling Ottoman quarters lined with sweet shops, cafes and handicraft workshops, to the administrative and cultural center of Austria-Hungarian times, Sarajevo encompasses the very best of both worlds. In Sarajevo, people have time for family and friends. It is often said that a man's wealth here is not measured in his material belongings but rather in his friendships. To the northwest of Sarajevo are the settlements of the ancient Bosnian Kingdom, which thrived in towns such as Visoko, Fojnica and Vares in the 14th and the 15th centuries. To the east of Sarajevo the vast canyon leads of the Upper Drina River region - with spectacular nature for all sorts of eco-adventures are awaiting nature lovers. The city of Sarajevo is rich in museums, including the Museum of Sarajevo, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina /established in 1888/, the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Museum of Literature and Theater Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city also hosts the National theater of Bosnia and Herzegovina, established in 1919, as well as the Sarajevo Youth Theater. Other cultural institutions include the Center for Sarajevo Culture, Sarajevo City Library, Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Bosniak Institute, a privately owned library and art collection focusing on the Bosniak history. Places to see : Baščaršija, old trading center from the Ottoman period, Gazi Husrev-begova džamija/Gazi Husrev-Bey's Mosque/, Ferhadija dzamija /Ferhadija Mosque/, Tzar's Mosque, Ali-pašina džamija /Ali-Pasha's Mosque/, Morica Han /station for overnight and change of horses during the Medieval times/, Clock Tower, Stara pravoslavna crkva /Old Orthodox Church/, The Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin, Catholic Cathedral of the Jesus' Heart, Synagogue, City Hall, Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, Sarajevo War Tunnel, Butmir Neolithic site, Latin Brigde over beautiful Miljacka River, Skavac Watefall, Jahorina, Bjelasnica and Igman Mountains, Ilidza Spa and Vrelo Bosne /source of Bosna River/... BASCARSIJA OLD ORTHODOX CHURCH GAZI HUSFEV-BEG MOSQUE GAZI HUSFEV-BEG BEZISTAN ALI PASINA DZAMIJA - ALI PASHA'S MOSQUE CATHEDRAL OF JESUS' HEART LATIN BRIDGE MORICA HAN VRELA BOSNE /SOURCE OF BOSNA RIVER/ SPITE HOUSE SARAJEVO TUNNEL The Sarajevo Tunnel - a tunnel underneath Sarajevo airport runway, linking Butmir with Dobrinja has been constructed by the besieged citizens of Sarajevo during the Siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War between 1992 and 1995. Work began in the greatest secrecy on 1 March 1993, with the digging being done manually from both ends in order to link the city of Sarajevo, which was entirely cut-off by Serbian forces, with the Bosnian-held territory on the other end of the supposedly neutral area at the Sarajevo Airport controlled by the United Nations. The situation on the Bosnian front demanded the urgent establishment of more secure means both of supplying the army units in Sarajevo, and of communicating with the free territories. The Sarajevo tunnel was completed within four months in mid-1993, which allowed food and humanitarian aid and cigarettes and soldiers come into the city, and people to get out. The Sarajevo tunnel was one of the major ways of bypassing the international arms embargo and bringing in weapons for government army within the city. The Sarajevo tunnel was dug by volunteers working in eight-hour shifts. A total of 2.800 m3 of ground was excavated and 170 m3 of the wood and 45 tons of iron building materials were built in. The Sarajevo Tunnel runs for 800 meters with the average height of 1,5 meters and average width of 1 meter. This is how a lot of supplies got into Sarajevo, through the tunnel that proved a lifeline and the Bosnia's busiest traffic artery during the three-and-a-half-year siege. The 20 metres of Sarajevo Tunnel that are left today, now form part of a museum in Sarajevo. Sarajevo Tunnel is situated 12km to the northeast of the city center and provides a profound experience of the Bosnia's recent history. SKAKAVAC WATERFALLS The Skakavac waterfall near Sarajevo is one of the greatest and most attractive waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it stands for a real tourist attraction. The waterfall is 98 meters high and placed in the landscape of exceptional beauty. The surroundings are one of the most heterogenic areas in that region dominated by spruce and fir and beech and fir forests with spruce on more pronounced slopes. On shallow carbon grounds in the vicinity of the waterfall, there are termofil forests and underbrushes of eastern hornbeam and autumn locust as well as eastern hornbeam and manna ash. The rocks surrounding the waterfall have a very interesting vegetation dominated by endemic and relic types. The waterfall at Skakavac is for more than one reason, one of the most attractive tourist sites in the vicinity of Sarajevo.
The word "Baš-čaršija" literary means the commercial market /glavna čaršija/ and designates the space of the square around sebilj /shaped public fountain/ that was extended later in what is present-day old commercial quarter of Sarajevo. Baščaršija was established in the mid of the 15th century as the economic part of the new founded settlement of Oriental style whose urban structure was donated by Isak-Bey. The trade hub of Baščaršija was built in the manner of the Arabian souq which is line of vast estates connected with myriad streets forming junction. The pedestrianized Ferhadija street cuts through the area and is always busy with both locals and foreigners strolling and people-watching. Baščaršija has souvenir shops and public fountains, and contains a colorful bazaar that sells traditional metalwork, jewelery and pottery. Each street is dedicated to a craft which is performed in its original style or is sometimes adjusted to the modern needs and desires. Bascarsija streets still bear the names dedicated to over 80 trades that operated here at its height. On Baščarsija there is the Svrzo House (Svrzina Kuca), built in the 18th century which represents one of the most authentic examples of the way of life during Ottoman Sarajevo. Svrzo Haouse is probably one of the most beautifully preserved examples of unique and traditional Bosnian architecture.
The exact date of construction of the Old Orthodox Church is not exactly determined. There are written documents dating from 1539 as the evidences on the Church's existence in that period. A legend about construction of the Orthodox Church says that it was built as endowment of the brother of King Marko. Due to numerous fires the Church has been often restored, to get its present day appearance at the beginning of the 18th century. The Orthodox Church itself and its decorated and gold-plated iconostasis, that contains the stone and the wooden parts, with icons dating from the period from the 16th until the 18th centuries are especially significant monument of the Orthodox cultural heritage. Among icons there are several icons painted by Master Radul in the 17th century. The Treasury keeps the collection of icons and old books and old manuscripts and silversmith craft-works.
The Mosque was built by Gazi Husrefbey in 1530. At the same time courtyard walls and gates and sadrvan /fountain/ were built. In 1892 the new sadrvan /fountain/ was built on the place of the former one. The present day whole of the Gazi Husferbey's Mosque make two octagonal mausoleums and the building of maktab /Islamic school/, hot water and the muvakkithane building.
This massive stone object built in style of basilica spreads in the length of 109 meters along the street of the same name. It was built by masters from Dubrovnik by order of Gazi Husrefbey, the Head of that time Bosnian District /sanjak/ between 1542 and 1543. It consisted of 52 stores in two rows of the interior of the object and the third row of stores on its outer side, turned to the street of Kujundziluk. Textile goods, mostly imported were sold there. Together with the nearby Taslihan, Gazi Husrefbey's bezistan used to make organic whole. Nowadays it serves as the trade center and inhabitants of Sarajevo call it "Dugi bezistan" /long trade center/.
One of the most beautiful cupola-covered mosques, built in 1561 beside the tomb of the founder of Bosnian governor of the sandjak province (sandjak bey) Ali-pasha, a native of Sarajevsko polje (Sarajevo field). He died in Sarajevo in 1557, and prior to his death in the sickbed, he dictated his testament ordering thereby a mosque to be built next to his tomb with the funds from his foundation, which was obeyed.
The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart was built in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an important Catholic concept. Architect Josip Vancaš planned it after the Notre-Dame de Paris, using the Neo-Gothic style and elements of Romanesque architecture. Work began on August 25, 1884, and was completed in the same month in 1889. The Dubrovnik Bishop was present for the opening. Peace demonstration in front of the cathedral on September 1991 prior to the Bosnian War. The building was damaged during the Siege of Sarajevo, but was not completely destroyed, and the damage has since been repaired. The building is often used as a symbol of the city: The design above the door to the Cathedral is part of the flag and seal of Sarajevo Canton and the Romanesque towers are featured on the flag and coat of arms of Sarajevo.
The name of the Bridge over Miljacka River comes from the nearby Latin - Dubrovnik commercial colony. The Roman Bridge has been built in 1798 by donation of Hadzi Abdulah Ziga, the merchant of Sarajevo. When built Bridge probably had four strong columns with five arches but one was walled at the end of the 19th century during the regulation of Miljacka River. Across the street, opposite to the Latin Bridge Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia on 28 June 1914 which was excuse for and sparked the First World War. The youthful members of Mlada Bosna who competed for the privilege of assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914 had all memorized Gorski Vijenac, preferring heroic death to a lifetime of servitude under a foreign ruler. For long time Sarajevo was either unknown or known only by this attempt. The Bridge was named the Princip's Bridge after the Second World War to be renamed again into the Latin Bridge in present time.
Morica Han is the only well-preserved large han /caravan station/ in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was built by donation of Gazi Husrefbeg at the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century and had 300 beds. Morica Han was the hub of social and political life of Sarajevo merchants and artisans and knowledgeable people for long period. It was burnt in big fire in 1957 but was restored in seventies of the 20th century. In 1985 Morica Has was turned into restaurants with various offers. The Morica‘s Han beautiful cobbled courtyard is surrounded by old stables and store houses and lodging rooms upstairs, resting on large wooden pillars.
Vrela Bosne /Sources of Bosna River/ are located in the southwestern part of Sarajevo Field, at the foot of Igman Mountain. You can easily designate Vrela Bosne as the most beautiful part of Sarajevo, that are pride of Sarajevo residents who always spend their spare time in the perfect ambiance beside the murmur of fresh water of Bosnia River source. Water and lush vegetation and fresh breeze coming from Igman Mountain is unique and memorable experience for every visitor. Nature is here truly abundant and generously gifts man. However the source of Bosna River that flows out from several strong kartic springs at the altitude of 492 meters at foot of Igman Mountain is most beautiful. Flora and fauna at the spring is rich and specific and contribute to the overall beauty of the scenery providing the entire ambiance special value.
In order to construct the City Hall on the property of Mustah-Pasha, in 1892 - 1894 two han /caravan stations/ and a private house needed to be destroyed. Caravan stations were crushed, but Benderija, the owner of the house had demanded to get a bag of ducats and to have his house moved piece by piece, brick by brick across the river of Miljacka, opposite to the City Hall. So it was done, but the particular house got the name "Spite House", due to the owner's spite. The Spite House represents the spite and stubbornness of Sarajevo people and the present day it stands on the spot demanded by its owner. Architects from Sarajevo, Amir Vuk and Sead Gološ designed the interior architecture of the Spite House in 2000. Today within the Spite House there is one of the most famous restaurant which offers authentic Bosnian specialties. City Hall (Vijecnica) dating from 1896 is a well-known symbol of Sarajevo and the most beautiful example of pseudo-Moorish architecture in the city.
